Top Chef: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 56 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	Your Score
6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 56 Ratings

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Top Chef

Season Details & Credits

Season Premiere Date: March 8, 2006

Starring: Katie Lee Joel, Gail Simmons, Tom Colicchio

Summary: This ten-episode reality competition set in San Francisco pits a dozen aspiring chefs against each other for a $100,000 cash prize.

Genre(s): Reality, Game Show, Food & Cooking

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Show Guide

72
Series Overview
64
Season 1 Overview
Air Date: March 8, 2006
tbd
12. Finale (2)
Air Date: May 24, 2006
tbd
11. Finale (1)
Air Date: May 17, 2006
tbd
10. Reunion
Air Date: May 10, 2006
tbd
9. Napa's Finest
Air Date: May 3, 2006
tbd
8. Wedding Bell Blues
Air Date: April 26, 2006
tbd
7. Restaurant Wars
Air Date: April 19, 2006
tbd
6. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
Air Date: April 12, 2006
tbd
5. Blind Confusion
Air Date: April 5, 2006
tbd
4. Food on the Fly
Air Date: March 29, 2006
tbd
3. Nasty Delights
Air Date: March 22, 2006
tbd
2. Food of Love
Air Date: March 15, 2006
tbd
1. Who Deserves to Be Here
Air Date: March 8, 2006

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

The New York Times - Virginia Heffernan

Like Bravo's fashion winner "Project Runway," the channel's promising "Top Chef" flaunts terms of art and insiderism to give it authority. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Paul Brownfield

"Top Chef" seems like a no-brainer, an extension both of the interactivity of TV cooking and the art-and-craft side of reality shows, in which people are actually making things as opposed to just asses of themselves. Read full review

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times - Charlie McCollum

The series has a familiar format, but the opening episode suggests it may have some real spark to it. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Marilyn Moss

A cooking match that has been seen so many times before in one form or another. Read full review

Chicago Tribune - Maureen Ryan

"Top Chef," though it appears to have a stable of good talent in the kitchen, so far doesn't really have much else going for it in the way of personalities. Read full review

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User Score

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6.6

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

ange'sw

Mar 19, 2006

I hate Steven on the Top Chef he is a popis idiot

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JoniV

May 22, 2006

I Loved the show!! My favorite had to be Harold. Don't forget Steven though. Although he was a no it all, he was really kinda sexy... If Ever in Louisina.... :) I cant wait for the next show...

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MariaO.

Jun 28, 2007

when will season 3 start cooking. you keep repeating just 2 meals one of them is the quick fire.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Vito

Mar 10, 2006

Unlike 'Project Runway' where we can see the final product, with 'Top Chef' we need to imagine the taste of the entries. This takes something from the show. But I nevertheless enjoyed the opening episode. I liked the behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant's Unlike 'Project Runway' where we can see the final product, with 'Top Chef' we need to imagine the taste of the entries. This takes something from the show. But I nevertheless enjoyed the opening episode. I liked the behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant's 'Line'. I liked seeing the contestant's different approaches. I'll tune in for Episode 2. -Vito… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

cheftasty

Mar 15, 2006

Lousy "casting" cuz so few of these people have any talent as chefs, whereas Project Runway's group seems truly skilled. The format for the show has great potential. Chef Hubert and Fleur de Lys, Tom Collichio--both great and respected veterans of the industry. Who was responsible for Lousy "casting" cuz so few of these people have any talent as chefs, whereas Project Runway's group seems truly skilled. The format for the show has great potential. Chef Hubert and Fleur de Lys, Tom Collichio--both great and respected veterans of the industry. Who was responsible for picking the contestents? Obviously, not chefs. I'd love this show it had all real kitchen talent--and come on--San Francisco and the Bay Area must have one of the richest talent pools in the food industry!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

aaronpaul121

May 25, 2012

A very poor start to an inconsistent series of cooking competitions with weird critiques, high drama and a lot of cooking talent......................

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EdwardS

Apr 25, 2006

There isn't one contestant left who is in any way bearable. After Andrea left, that was it. Their egos transcend their skills. There is no camaraderie, no cooperation. All back-stabbing and criticizing and bad-mouthing. I watched The Next Food Network Star on Food Network and those There isn't one contestant left who is in any way bearable. After Andrea left, that was it. Their egos transcend their skills. There is no camaraderie, no cooperation. All back-stabbing and criticizing and bad-mouthing. I watched The Next Food Network Star on Food Network and those people were fun, had a great time together, cared about each other, helped each other. I hated to see any of them leave. In Top Chef, I want them all to pack their knives and go home. The worst are Tiffani, Steven, and Harold but the others are close seconds.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 44 REVIEWS

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